About the Humanist Magazine

The Humanist magazine applies humanism—a rational philosophy without theism or other supernatural beliefs that is informed by science, guided by reason, inspired by art, and motivated by compassion—to broad areas of social, political, and personal concern. The magazine functions to educate those new to humanism and to challenge longtime humanists. It seeks to provide a wide range of material that strives for ethical cohesion while also exploring where humanists diverge—not to further divide but to air, discuss, elucidate, and continually refine humanism.

In pursuit of alternative ideas, the Humanist airs opinions that may not necessarily reflect those of the editors or the publisher, the American Humanist Association (AHA). The AHA is a membership organization founded in 1941 whose history can be traced back to 1927, when professors and seminarians at the University of Chicago organized the Humanist Fellowship, and began publishing the New Humanist magazine. By 1935 the Humanist Fellowship had become the Humanist Press Association, replacing the New Humanist with the Humanist Bulletin. The Humanist Press Association reorganized itself in 1941 as the American Humanist Association and began printing the Humanist magazine under the editorship of Edwin H. Wilson. (Read about former editors at the bottom of this page and click here for more on the AHA).

With a distinguished cadre of writers covering everything from science and religion to media and technology to politics and popular culture, the Humanist continues to challenge readers with insightful ethical critique and commentary on the central issues of our time.

The Editor

Jennifer Bardi

Born and raised in Southern California, Jennifer Bardi (pronouns: she/her | what’s this?) came to the Humanist with an educational background in the humanities and a career in science communications. She holds a BA in comparative literature, an MFA in creative writing, and spent eleven years as a writer, editor, and program director at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California. Having long identified with the humanist philosophy, Bardi is honored to continue the Humanist`s distinguished tradition of publishing insightful and socially conscious commentary on issues central to both humanists and their times.